U.S. patent number 5,363,227 [Application Number 07/809,536] was granted by the patent office on 1994-11-08 for liquid crystal display mounting structure.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Noah L. Anglin, Paul R. Hamerton-Kelly, Shinpei Ichikawa.
United States Patent |
5,363,227 |
Ichikawa , et al. |
November 8, 1994 |
Liquid crystal display mounting structure
Abstract
A liquid crystal mounting structure including resilient shock
mounts on opposing edges of the display, each shock mount having a
slot for receiving an edge of the display. The assembly is held in
a 3 dimensional frame made of a plate and housing.
Inventors: |
Ichikawa; Shinpei (Cupertino,
CA), Hamerton-Kelly; Paul R. (Palo Alto, CA), Anglin;
Noah L. (San Jose, CA) |
Assignee: |
Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc.
(Santa Clara, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
23412719 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/809,536 |
Filed: |
January 29, 1992 |
PCT
Filed: |
May 31, 1990 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/US90/03106 |
371
Date: |
January 29, 1992 |
102(e)
Date: |
January 29, 1992 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO90/15359 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
December 13, 1990 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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359191 |
May 31, 1989 |
5002368 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
349/60;
349/56 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02F
1/133308 (20130101); G02F 1/133311 (20210101); G02F
1/133317 (20210101); G02F 2201/503 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G02F
1/13 (20060101); G02F 001/1333 () |
Field of
Search: |
;359/83,88,48,63,70
;248/560,632,633,634,638,27.1,27.3 ;364/708 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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60-101521 |
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Jun 1985 |
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JP |
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0160725 |
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Jul 1986 |
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JP |
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2190529 |
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Nov 1987 |
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GB |
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2190529A |
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Nov 1987 |
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GB |
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Other References
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 10, No. 3, (P-418)(2060), 8 Jan.
1986 & JP-A-60 162 228, (Hitachi), 24 Aug. 1985. .
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 12, No. 245, (P-729)(3092), 12 Jul.
1988 & JP-A-63 037 317, (Hitachi), 18 Feb. 1988..
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Primary Examiner: Sikes; William L.
Assistant Examiner: Parker; Kenneth
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Skjerven, Morrill, MacPherson,
Franklin & Friel
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 07/359,191, filed May 31, 1989, and now U.S.
Pat. No. 5,002,368.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A liquid crystal (LCD) mounting structure comprising:
an LCD assembly having a first and second opposing edge;
a first and second resilient shock mount, each said shock mount
mounted on an associated one of said opposing edges of said LCD
assembly, each said shock mount having a slot for receiving each
said associated edge of said LCD assembly, and each said slot
having a pair of closed ends for securing said associated edge,
thereby retaining said edges within said associated slots; and
a three-dimensional frame comprising a horizontal plate and a
housing, said housing having sides forming a cavity into which said
LCD assembly and said shock mounts are inserted, said horizontal
plate having an inside perimeter defining a window, said horizontal
plate being securely joined with said housing, with said LCD
assembly and said shock mounts interposed between said housing and
said horizontal plate to fixedly position said LCD assembly and
shock mounts with respect to said housing.
2. The liquid crystal display (LCD) mounting structure according to
claim 1, wherein said three dimensional frame further comprises a
transparent sheet securely joined along said inside perimeter of
said horizontal plate.
3. The liquid crystal display (LCD) mounting structure according to
claim 1, wherein said LCD assembly comprises a top glass plate
having a polarizer formed thereon and a lower glass plate having a
polarizer with a reflector formed thereon, said top glass plate
being framed by said window in said three dimensional frame.
4. The liquid crystal display (LCD) mounting structure according to
claim 3, wherein a protective transparent film covers said top
glass plate.
5. The liquid crystal display (LCD) mounting structure according to
claim 1, wherein said LCD assembly has a row driver printed circuit
board, a column driver printed circuit board, and flexible
circuitry.
6. A liquid crystal display (LCD) mounting structure according to
claim 1, wherein said resilient shock mounts are made from a
material selected from the group consisting of injection moldable
and compression moldable silicone rubbers having a low durometer
value ranging from 15 to 50.
7. A liquid crystal display (LCD) mounting structure according to
claim 6, wherein said resilient material is Sorbothane.TM..
8. The liquid crystal display (LCD) mounting structure according to
claim 1, wherein said first and second resilient shock mounts are
shaped differently.
9. The liquid crystal display (LCD) mounting structure according to
claim 1, wherein said resilient shock mounts further comprise
compression ribs at each end of said shock mounts which contact
with said horizontal plate.
10. The liquid crystal display (LCD) according to claim 1, wherein
said slot of said first shock mount comprises first and second slot
layers for receiving said edge of said LCD assembly associated with
said first shock mount, wherein said first slot layer and said
second slot layer have different lengths.
11. The liquid crystal display (LCD) according to claim 1, wherein
said housing has a base portion, said base portion lying in a
plane, and wherein said slots in said shock mounts are positioned
such that said LCD assembly is at an angle with respect to the
plane of said base portion of said housing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a structure for mounting a liquid crystal
display (LCD) in a portable computer housing and a method for
making the mounting structure.
Conventionally, computers do not have impact absorption features to
protect fragile components, such as LCDs, from damage due to
dropping or other day-to-day handling of the computer. The
conventional computer LCDs are mounted in a metal frame or hard
plastic two-piece shell which structurally supports the LCD, but
offers little protection against damage. Conventional lap-top
computers are more prone to damage because they are transported
more frequently. The conventional lap-top computer offers no more
protection against damage to its fragile components, such as its
LCD, than desk-top computers. Only the size of the computer and the
location of the fragile structures within are factors which might
reduce the potential for damage should the lap-top computer be
dropped.
As portable computers become smaller, their associated compact
structures have even less damage prevention capability.
Furthermore, the more compact the portable computer is, the more
frequently it will be transported. If the portable computer is
transported more frequently during day-to-day use, the probability
that it will be dropped, sat on, bent or otherwise mishandled
increases. Therefore, the fragile LCD is more vulnerable to damage
as the size of the computer decreases. Impact absorption features
must be designed into the portable computer to minimize this
vulnerability and make the portable computer durable over its
lifetime.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the objectives of this invention are to provide a structure
which can effectively absorb the impact of stress related to
day-to-day handling of a portable computer, to minimize the number
of parts and required assembly time, to reduce overall product
cost, and to reduce the weight and size of the assembly in order to
increase portability. According to this invention, a mounting
structure for an LCD is provided which absorbs the shock from
dropping and bending a portable computer, and thereby prevents
damage to the LCD. The mounting structure and a method for making
this mounting structure employ resilient shock absorbers, made from
Sorbothane.TM. or low durometer silicone rubber for example,
dimensionally sized and mounted along the edges of the LCD. The
resilient material has elastic properties which give it
compressibility as well as the ability to recover its original
shape. The resilient shock absorbers are placed under a pre-load
during assembly, wherein the pre-load is determined by factors such
as the mass and the gravity-loading needed to support the LCD. The
shock absorbers are typically compressed within a three-dimensional
frame which provides a stiff structure so that the combined effect
of the shock absorbers and the frame offer maximum protection to
the LCD. During use, the resilient shock absorbers will absorb
energy from deflecting, bending and dropping. The LCD and the shock
absorbers are installed into a computer housing. After assembly
into a computer housing, the mounting structure acts as a
suspension system which supports the glass LCD and allows the glass
to remain planar with bending of the housing. The housing is
preferably made of plastic and is therefore more flexible than the
glass LCD. Upon impact or other stress, bending of the housing is
compensated by the resilient material, which is more flexible than
the housing, so that most deformation of the housing is not
transferred to the glass of the LCD. In one embodiment, the LCD
assembly is hermetically sealed within the computer housing.
Moreover, the LCD assembly can be evacuated before sealing the
structure in order to protect the LCD from potentially trapped
moisture, dust and other contaminants from the surrounding
environment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the housing assembly
and the associated mounting structure of this invention according
to a first embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating the resilient shock mounts at
the corners of the LCD assembly according to the first
embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shock mounts in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view illustrating the LCD mounting
structure of a second embodiment.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the shock mounts
according to second and third embodiments.
FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the LCD in combination with a
printed circuit board, both with and without shock absorbing
resilient material.
FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view illustrating the housing assembly
and associated mounting structure according to a second
embodiment.
FIG. 6A is a perspective exploded view illustrating the LCD
mounting structure of a third embodiment.
FIGS. 6B-6E are front views of the layers shown in FIG. 6A.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating in more detail the upper
housing of the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an LCD electronics support bracket,
as used in the second and third embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates the first embodiment of LCD mounting structure
100. A housing 1 houses mounting structure 100. Mounting structure
100 holds an LCD assembly 10 and associated circuitry (not shown)
within housing 1. LCD assembly 10 comprises a top glass 7 and a
bottom glass 8, each glass preferably including a polarizer between
which is located the liquid crystal material. Polarizer 6 is
located on the LCD assembly top glass 7 and polarizer with
reflector 5 is located on the LCD assembly bottom glass 8. The
polarizers control the ambient light into and the reflected light
out of the LCD, in particular controlling the polarization of light
transmitted through LCD assembly 10. LCD assembly 10 has associated
circuitry such as row driver circuitry and column driver circuitry
on a printed circuit board, and flexible circuitry (all not shown)
associated with LCD assembly 10. At each of the four corners of the
LCD assembly 10, shock mounts 2 are mounted. The shock mounts 2 are
made from a rubber material having resiliency, so that they are
compressible but recover their original shape after the load is
removed. The resilient material used for shock mounts 2 is
preferably Sorbothane.TM. or a silicon rubber with a low durometer
in the range of 15-20, for example. Shock mounts 2 are molded to
conform to the corners of the joined pair of glasses 7 and 8. Shock
mount 2 is preferably shaped, as shown in FIG. 3 for the first
embodiment, to include a pocket having the dimensions of a corner
portion of LCD assembly 10. Since one shock mount is required for
each of the four corners of the LCD in this embodiment, the
preferred design allows the same shock mount to be used at each
corner, regardless of orientation. This greatly simplifies the
assembly process and reduces part and tooling costs. Using small,
separate shock mounts on the LCD reduces the amount of resilient
material in the display assembly, reducing total cost and overall
weight. The LCD assembly 10, the associated printed/flexible
circuitry, and shock mounts 2 are placed into the housing 1. A
three-dimensional frame 3 is placed over the LCD assembly 10 and
shock mounts 2 to enclose the LCD and its circuitry.
Three-dimensional frame 3 is constructed with sides 12 each
attached along one edge thereof to a horizontal plate 4 having an
opening for viewing the display. Horizontal plate 4 has an inside
perimeter which defines an opening and an outside perimeter where
sides 12 are attached. Sides 12 are securely attached or preferably
integrally connected to horizontal plate 4 in the first embodiment.
Sides 12 extend downward from horizontal plate 4. Adjacent sides 12
are securely joined together, or preferably integrally connected so
that horizontal plate 4 and sides 12 form a rigid 3-dimensional
frame 3. Sides 12 are preferably perpendicular to horizontal plate
4 and adjacent ones of sides 12 are preferably perpendicular to
each other in the first embodiment. The horizontal plate 4 is
preferably of a single-piece construction, but can be formed in
parts which are securely joined together. The first embodiment
further comprises a transparent sheet 15 which is securely attached
along the inside perimeter of horizontal plate 4 to fit within the
opening. Transparent sheet 15 can be ultrasonically welded to
horizontal plate 4, or preferably is integrally connected.
Transparent sheet 15 is attached to horizontal plate 4 prior to
installation of the three-dimensional frame 3 into housing 1. When
molded as one part, this attachment step is not necessary before
installation. The three-dimensional frame 3 can be made from
polycarbonate plastic, such as Lexan or the like. Transparent sheet
15 can be made from transparent Lexan. Sides 12 of the
three-dimensional frame 3 slide into housing 1 around the outer
periphery of the LCD assembly 10, associated circuitry, and shock
mounts 2. Horizontal plate 3 rests on shock mounts 2 and
transparent sheet 4 covers top glass plate 7 of LCD assembly 10
when installed into housing 1. Before three-dimensional frame 3 is
joined with housing 1, pressure is applied to the horizontal plate
4 to compress shock mounts 2 preferably to 75 percent of their
original volume. While shock mounts 2 are under compression,
three-dimensional frame 3 is ultrasonically welded or chemically
bonded to housing 1 to seal the structure. This bonding step allows
horizontal plate 4, transparent sheet 15 and sides 12 to form a
3-dimensional mounting structure 100 with housing 1, thereby
producing a structure 100 according to the first embodiment with
much greater stiffness than the individual components 1, 3, 4, 12
and 15.
In a further embodiment, the assembly is evacuated by pulling a
vacuum during the assembly process just prior to hermetic sealing.
Referring to FIG. 2, three-dimensional frame 3 is hermetically
sealed along line 14 of the outer perimeter of horizontal plate 4.
Once hermetically sealed, the LCD assembly 10 is protected from the
atmosphere and contamination, namely from humidity, dust, and
dirt.
FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the LCD mounting structure of
the first embodiment. Four shock mounts 2 are shown in the four
corners of LCD assembly 10. The transparent overlay 15 is placed
directly over LCD assembly 10. The horizontal plate 4 can be a
bezel which outlines and frames LCD assembly 10. The transparent
overlay 15 is joined with horizontal plate 4 at line 13 and
horizontal plate 4 is joined to the housing 1 at line 14.
Horizontal plate 4 and transparent overlay 15 of the first
embodiment form a stiff and rigid three-dimensional structure with
housing 1 when horizontal plate 4 is formed of polycarbonate, and
housing 1 is formed of ABS/polycarbonate alloy. Moreover, a rigid
three-dimensional structure is created when horizontal plate 3 and
transparent overlay 4 are 0.04" thick, housing 1 is 0.100" thick,
and horizontal plate 4 is securely joined to housing 1. Other
thicknesses may provide sufficient rigidity for most day-to-day
handling, but the above thicknesses are optimum and preferable.
A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 4 and 5A-5D. Mounting structure 400 of the second embodiment
comprises horizontal plate 46. Horizontal plate 46 includes frame
43 surrounding a transparent sheet 44. Transparent sheet 44 may be
a separate piece securely joined at its outside perimeter to the
inside perimeter of frame 43. Alternatively, frame 43 and
transparent sheet 44 may be simply parts of a single horizontal
plate 46. Frame 43 is preferably opaque to hide electronic
components below and preferably includes markings related to
information to be displayed by an LCD 40. Mounting structure 400
further comprises resilient shock mounts 42a, 42b which are
preferably placed along the two shorter edges of LCD 40 according
to the second embodiment. Resilient shock mounts 42a, 42b are made
from a low durometer material, preferably silicone rubber having
from 30 to 40 durometer, and are illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D.
Referring to FIGS. 5A-5D, resilient shock mounts have first shock
mount shape 42a and second shock mount shape 42b. The shape of
shock mounts 42a and 42b differ because shock mount 42b must
accommodate printed and flexible circuitry 49 which is attached to
edge 40-3 of LCD 40, as illustrated in FIG. 5C. Moreover, shock
mounts 42a and 42b must conform to the shape of housing 41, as
illustrated in FIG. 5D.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, housing 41 comprises sides 41d-g, wherein
side 41d is opposite to 41e and side 41f is opposite to 41g. Sides
41d-f have two thicknesses, wherein a thicker tier 41d-f(-1) is
adjacent to back wall 41a, while a thinner tier 41d-f(-2) extends
from and is adjacent to only thicker tier 41d-f(-1).
Housing 41 further comprises recesses 41h in back wall 41a.
Recesses 41h have various shapes or configurations and are located
in back wall 41a to accommodate protruding electronic circuitry
(not shown) on LCD 40. Recesses 41h may be machined in back wall
41a after housing 41 is molded. Recesses 41h can be incorporated
into the molding process to eliminate this machining step.
Housing 41 still further comprises protrusions 41j located at the
corners of housing 41. In the second embodiment, two protrusions
41j-1 protrude internally from side 41f adjacent to corner 41-3 and
three protrusions 41j-2 protrude internally from side 41e adjacent
to corner 41-3 also. Adjacent to corner 41-4, three protrusions
41j-3 extend from side 41e internally and two protrusions 41j-4
extend from side 41g internally. All protrusions are integrally
connected to back wall 41a and the thicker tier 41e-1, 41f-1 of
sides 41e and f, respectively. The protrusions serve as pressure
points which deform the shock mount locally under load. They also
serve to locate the shock mount without adding undesirable
thickness to the housing walls. The height of each group of
protrusions is dictated by a sealing ledge 41k. Sealing ledge 41k
extends along the inner perimeter of housing 41 on all four sides
41d-g. Sealing ledge 41k receives horizontal plate 46. Sealing
ledge 41k is further away from back wall 41a on side 41f than on
side 41g which is opposite to side 41f. Therefore, sealing ledge
41k is slanted at an angle on opposite sides 41e and 41d defined by
the height of sealing ledge 41k on sides 41f and 41g.
Referring to FIG. 5A, shock mount 42a is applied to edge 40-4 (see
FIG. 4) of LCD 40. A bottom membrane 42a-3 made of the same
resilient material extends from end 42a-1 to end 42a-2 of shock
mount 42a. Bottom membrane 42a-3 is thicker at end 42a-1 than at
end 42a-2, thereby leaving clearance for electronic components
under LCD 40 and allowing the front surface of LCD 40 to be at an
angle with respect to housing 41. Both ends 42a-1 and 42a-2 have a
wrap around configuration 42a-4 and 42a-5 and a thin sheet of
resilient material forming top membrane 42a-6 which extends from
oppositely extending wrap arounds 42a-4 and 42a-5. Shock mount 42a
has a rear wall 42a-7 extending from end-to-end (42a-1 and 42a-2)
adjacent to top membrane 42a-6 and bottom membrane 42a-3. Opposite
to rear wall 42a-7 is an opening 42a-8 which exposes the cavity or
receptacle for edge 40-4 of LCD 40. Wrap around configurations
42a-4 and 42a-5 are sized to receive corner portions of edge 40-4
of LCD 40. Located on the top of wrap arounds 42a-4 and 42a-5 are
ribs 42a-9. Ribs 42a-9 protrude out from shock mount 42a. Ribs
42a-9 function as pressure points when shock mounts 42a are
compressed during assembly.
Referring to FIG. 5B, shock mount 42b is similar to shock mount 42a
except that bottom membrane 42b-3 has been cut away so that it no
longer extends from end-to-end (42b-1, 2). Bottom portions 42b-31
and 42b-32 are located only at ends 42b-1, 2 and form part of wrap
around configurations 42b-4 and 42b-5. Moreover, rear wall 42b-7 is
adjacent to top membrane 42b-6 and extends from end-to-end, but is
adjacent to respective bottom portions 42b-31, 32 only at ends
42b-1, 2. Shock mount 42b is shaped as described above to
accommodate the associated circuitry 49 at edge 40-3 of LCD 40, as
illustrated in FIG. 5C. As shown in FIG. 5D, shock mount 42a is
installed on LCD 40 so that bottom membrane 42a-3 contacts the back
wall 41a of housing 41. The thicker end of shock mount 42a (end
42a-1, see FIG. 5A) is placed against a thicker edge 41-2 of
housing 41 so that LCD 40 is raised up from back wall 41a and is
essentially at an angle to the back wall 41a of housing 41, as
illustrated in FIG. 5D.
Membranes 42a-6 and 42b-6 serve to maintain an air gap between the
LCD and transparent sheet 44, to avoid optical interference in the
LCD viewing area.
When mounting structure 400 of the second embodiment is assembled,
shock mounts 42a and 42b are mounted onto edges 40-4 and 40-3 of
LCD 40, respectively. The associated electronics are already
assembled to LCD 40, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Edge 40-4, having
shock mount 42a attached thereto, is placed within housing 41 so
that rear wall 42a-7 and ends 42a-1,2 of shock mount 42a are
received by protrusions 41j located at the corners of housing 41.
Edge 40-3 and the associated electronics 49 are placed into housing
41, and a bracket 41r (see FIG. 8) is placed over the associated
electronics to hold the electronics and edge 40-3 in place.
Bracket 41r has four sides preferably designed to outline the edges
of the associated electronics 49 on edge 40-3 of LCD 40. Referring
to FIG. 8, one side 41r-1 of bracket 41r has extension 41r-5
comprising end piece 41r-6 for cooperating with receptacle 41m in
back wall 41a of housing 41. Extension 41r-5 also comprises a
portion of sealing edge 41k from side 41f of housing 41. Another
side 41r-3, opposite to side 41r-1, has an extension 41r-7
comprising end piece 41r-8. Hexagonal hole 41r-8a in end piece
41r-8 provides a locking interference fit when pressed onto
cylindrical post 41n in back wall 41a. Tab 4.1r-4-a fits into an
undercut (not shown) in housing side wall 41-d, which combines with
post 41n to positively lock bracket 41r over LCD electronics 49 and
into housing 41. Side 41r-4 has hook 41r-9 extending internally
away from side 41r -4 and downward. Hook 41r-9 is received by
printed circuitry 49 in hole 49-1. Moreover, side 41r-4 comprises
additional portions of sealing edge 41k from side 41d of housing
41. Side 41r-2, which is opposite to side 41r-4, has
semi-circle-shaped cylindrical bosses 41r-10 which protrude
internally from side 41r-2. Bosses 41r-10 function to allow easier
removal of part 41r from the mold used during injection molding of
part 41r. Side 41r-2 bridges over flexible circuitry 49-2 to hold
shock mount 42b and LCD edge 40-3 in place.
Bracket 41r locks with housing 41 at at least points 41r-6, 41m and
41r-8a, 41n to hold edge 40-3 of LCD 40 within housing 41.
Horizontal plate 46 (FIG. 4) is placed over LCD 40 in housing 41.
The outer perimeter of horizontal plate 46 rests on sealing edge
41k of housing 41 and bracket 41r. Horizontal plate 46 is attached,
preferably ultrasonically welded to housing 41 at sealing edge 41k
and to bracket 41r at four sealing edges 41k-1, 41k-2, 41k-3,
41k-4. The second embodiment can be hermetically sealed and
evacuated prior to hermetic sealing as described above for the
first embodiment also. A three-dimensional rigid box is created by
the combination of horizontal plate 46, housing 41 and sides 41d-g
of housing 41 after plate 46 is welded onto housing 41.
The third embodiment of the LCD mounting structure is illustrated
in FIGS. 6A-6E. LCD mounting structure 600 comprises housing 61
which has upwardly extending sides 61d-g and screw receiving holes
61a-1 integrally associated with back wall 61a of housing 61. FIG.
6B illustrates the inside of housing 61. Sides 61f and 61g are
opposite to each other and side 61f is adapted to receive latch 61c
while side 61g is adapted to form hinge 61b which will receive a
hinge pin.
Resilient shock mounts 62a,b are mounted on the edges 60-4,3 of an
LCD 60, respectively, as illustrated in FIG. 6C. Shock mounts 62a,b
are similar to the shock mounts 42a,b of the second embodiment.
Also shown in FIG. 6C is row driver printed circuitry 69 and
flexible cable 69a associated with edge 60-3 of LCD 60.
LCD 60, associated circuitry, and shock mounts 62a,b are held
within housing 61 by LCD frame 63. Referring to FIG. 6D, LCD frame
63 is a horizontal plate having an inside perimeter and an outside
perimeter. The inside perimeter defines a display window 63a and is
shaped with a flange. Frame portion 63b is wider than portions
63c-e so that row driver printed circuitry 69 is hidden from view
when LCD frame 63 is mounted over LCD 60 in housing 61. LCD frame
63 also comprises through-holes 63f near the four corners of LCD
frame 63. Through-holes 63f receive screws 64. Screws 64 connect
LCD frame 63 to housing 61 after LCD 60 is placed in housing 61.
FIG. 6E illustrates overlay 65 which preferably provides the logo
information and display symbols for LCD 60. Overlay 65 can be made
of plastic, preferably polycarbonate, and has an inner perimeter
defining a window 65a. One side of overlay 65 has an adhesive
applied. The adhesive side of overlay 65 adheres to LCD frame 63
after assembly. After assembly, overlay 65 covers screws 64.
Mounting structure 600 is assembled by aligning LCD 60, having
resilient shock mounts 62a,b mounted on the edges thereof, inside
housing 61 as illustrated in FIG. 6A. LCD 60, associated circuitry,
and shock mounts 62a,b fit within an area defined by screw
receiving holes 61a-1. A bracket similar to bracket 41r may be
placed over circuitry 69 and its associated flexible circuitry (not
shown) to hold circuitry 69 in place in housing 61. Alternatively
the retaining features of bracket 41r may be incorporated in the
rear surface shape of LCD frame 63. LCD frame 63 is placed over LCD
60 and the associated parts and screws 64 are inserted to attach
LCD frame 63 to housing 61, thereby enclosing LCD 60 and the
associated parts within. After screws 64 are inserted, overlay 65
is adhered to LCD frame 63. A rigid three-dimensional box is
created according to the third embodiment by the cooperative
effects of housing 61, LCD frame 63 and screws 64. The third
embodiment has the advantages of allowing disassembly and repair of
the LCD and associated electronics, or replacement of plastic
parts. This will improve production yield and reduce unit cost. A
non-glare film 60c applied to LCD 60 functions as the transparent
sheet 44 of FIG. 4 so that the display can be viewed and the LCD
simultaneously protected. Installing the LCD with no cover sheet
increases display contrast and readability, eliminates optical
interference problems, and prevents accidental trapping of moisture
or foreign material in the viewing area. LCD frame 63 having window
63a frames LCD assembly 60 to create a display window.
Mounting structures 100 (first embodiment), 400 (second
embodiment), and 600 (third embodiment) allow the LCD glass plates
to float with respect to the housing. The housing may be deformed
or otherwise stressed by dropping or compressing its associated
portable computer, but the LCD glasses remain relatively flat and
cushioned from the shock and load. Effectively, the mounting
structures suspend the LCD glasses, and leave the glass more nearly
planar when the housing is deformed. The effectiveness of mounting
structure 400 was tested by dropping two prototype portable
computers having the second embodiment of the present invention
incorporated therein from a height of ten feet onto concrete
several times. The LCD assemblies survived the drops without
damage. It was found that while the LCD assemblies of the first
embodiment survived the impact of this test also, the shock mounts
2 of the first embodiment did not remain in place after repeated
testing. The second and third embodiments were designed to overcome
this problem. Shock mounts 42a,b and 62a,b extend from one corner
to another corner along respective edges 40-4,3 and 60-4,3. In
another test, the portable computer containing the invention was
compressed by having a user sit on chairs of various types while
the computer was in the user's back pocket (a potential mishap
likely to occur with pocket sized portable computers), thus
applying stress to the computer housing. An inspection of the
portable computer after the compression test revealed no damage to
the LCD assembly. The LCD mounting structures, according to all
above embodiments, are designed to absorb the shock associated with
dropping or other day-to-day handling of a portable computer and
thereby protects the LCD (glass and circuitry) from damage.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art
that changes and modifications may be made without departing from
this invention in its broader aspects. For example, although
embodiments having two and four shock mounts are shown, another
embodiment having a single shock mount extending around the
perimeter of the LCD assembly could also be made. Therefore, the
appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such
changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope
of this invention.
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